If the 4.3L runs well. Find a nice boat with a freeze cracked 4.3L. Throw it in the boat, run the dog snot out of it for a season or two, then sell it. I did that with a reman 4.3L I got with an Astro van. Bought the van for $300 at an estate sale out of some guys backyard that had passed away. Once I started cleaning the back of the van and going through what was there, discovered a 4.3L in the back cargo area burried under the grille, fan shroud and other parts.
Thanks for the advice. I posted the 4.3 for almost free. Then offered it for free to by buddy and nephew. They both run that engine in 99 NBS and an S10. Neither were interested.
I don't know anything about boats, just know they are money pits...more so than old Chevy trucks, LOL. My youngest brother did have a boat for a while, I'll ask him if he knows anything about the 4.3 boats...
I did tear down the 4.3 just to take measurements: bearings were worn, and crank needed machining. I did a thread on a 6.0 I was trying to rebuild, but that didn't work out either; I included the V6 teardown as a learning experience since it was just sitting in the back yard, taking micrometer measurements, clearances, etc. It did still run when I pulled it, but it had low oil pressure...if it was dry and could get the darn thing fired up
...same issue as was posted on the distributor thread as the no-starts when damp. :-( Unfortunately, that was a kick in the nuts for me. Trying to explain to my wife truck didn't start when it was damp and couldn't get get the kids to school...you can imagine. SMH, but I just had to realized I could NOT have that anymore. I hope you understand...if you have kids of your own, you will...
I wish I could of rebuild the 4.3, but just don't have time... crank, pistons, rods, and valvetrain are already gone anyways last month.
And moving on to other projects. I'm stubborn on rebuilding LS 6.0 and I've got a complete 8.1/Ally engine combo that I bought for cheap... Lord have mercy on me!
That's cool on that Astro van you mentioned. Those Astros were pretty cool. My oldest brother had one in the late 90s/early 2000s, an early version. They eventually sold it.
One of my sisters bought a newer one and I think they still have it. They eventually bought a second generation Durango after that. The Astro is their backup. My BIL likes Chevy's, but has moved to Dodge recently because he says he can't afford Chevy's anymore (he bought a Ram 1500 ccsb salvage title because that's all he could afford)..and I honestly can't blame him.
A man has to do what he's got to do..
No harm, no foul.